With happiness bubbling in my chest, I leave the room. Gabriel heads toward Babaanne’s sitting room while I take the stairs down to the kitchen.
When I enter, my lips part with surprise. Nisa’s standing at the stove with Mom, teaching her how to make the tea.
The memory flashes through my mind as I remember her doing the same with me.
Dear Nisa. I love her so much.
Nisa notices me, then exclaims, “Allah Allah, look who finally woke up.”
“Gabriel’s home,” I mutter in my defense, which makes Nisa chuckle.
Walking to Mom, I wrap an arm around her waist and give her a sideways hug. “How did you sleep?”
She nods, her eyes drifting over my face as if she can’t believe I’m really here. “Okay.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask her how she’s feeling, but I swallow the words down. I can see how she’s feeling, and it’s not good.
Lifting a hand, I tuck some of her hair behind her ear. “When I first arrived, Nisa took me shopping, and I got a haircut. Would you like to do that?”
“Ah… okay?”
I give her a comforting smile. “I’d like to get you your own clothes so you’ll have something that belongs to you.”
Emotion wells in her eyes, and she quickly looks down as she fights the tears. Pulling her into a hug, I whisper by her ear, “It’s okay to cry. It will help you feel better.”
I hear movement behind me, and freeing Mom from the hug, I glance over my shoulder. The moment Mom lays eyes on Gabriel, she ducks behind me. She takes hold of my blouse in a tight grip.
“It’s okay,” I say, keeping my voice gentle. “This is Gabriel.”
Mom peeks around my shoulder at Gabriel. He keeps perfectly still, his expression neutral.
“Welcome, Agnieska. I hope you find peace in my home,” he murmurs.
As if I couldn’t love him more, my heart just keeps expanding for him.
Pulling out a chair, Gabriel takes a seat.
“Tea, Gabriel Bey?” Nisa asks.
“Please.”
I feel Mom’s grip on my shirt lessen. Reaching behind me, I take hold of her hand, giving it a squeeze as I pull her to stand next to me.
There’s a serious expression on Gabriel’s face, as he looks at Mom. She quickly lowers her eyes to the tiles.
“Agnieska, look at me,” he demands, his voice firm.
She quickly obeys, and I can feel the fear coming off her in waves.
I used to fear him like that. God, so much has changed.
It hurts to see her like this, but I know with time, she will get better.
“You are free,” he says. “You are now in control of your life. There will be no beatings, no whippings, no threats of death.” His eyes fill with compassion. “And you will not be expected to do anything you don’t want to. Your body is your own.”
Mom nods, her throat straining from keeping the tears back.
“I will arrange a doctor to help you work through the trauma you’ve suffered. If at any point you feel afraid or uncomfortable, tell Lara or me, and we’ll deal with the problem.” He tilts his head. “Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir,” she murmurs obediently.
“You will not call me that. Just Gabriel.” He stands up and takes a step closer. “Lift your chin.” Mom quickly does as he says. “Straighten your shoulders.” Again she obeys. “You are no one’s slave, Agnieska. You are free. No one here is going to order you around. We’re a family, and we take care of our own.”
Mom nods, her chin quivering so bad. I place a hand on her back and softly brush it up and down to comfort her.
Nisa sets the tray of tea on the table, her eyes flitting between Gabriel and Mom.
Gabriel gives her a compassionate look. “Just focus on healing so you can enjoy the rest of your life. Don’t let those bastards take your future from you. I’ve killed Grabowski and Mazur, so you are safe from their cruelty.”
Mom takes a staggering step back. Her eyes widen with disbelief as she lifts her trembling hands to cover her mouth. Then she asks, “They’re dead?”
“Yes.” Gabriel keeps his eyes locked on hers.
Mom takes a step forward, falls to her knees at his feet, and sobs, “Thank you.”
Just as I move to pull her up, Gabriel crouches in front of her. “Get up, Agnieska. You will never kneel again.”
She quickly scrambles to her feet, and taking a step away from him, her hand searches for mine.
“I think that covers everything,” Gabriel says. He turns his attention to me. “I’ll be with my grandmother if you need me, baby.”
“Okay.” Pulling my hand free from Mom’s, I walk to Gabriel and wrap my arms around his waist. “Thank you. It means so much to me.”
“I know,” he murmurs. When I tilt my head back, he presses a soft kiss to my mouth. “I’ll see you at breakfast.”